Latest Press Releases
FOOD SHORTAGE LOOMS IN TIMOR-LESTE
30 June, 2006/ Dili; The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has warned vital food supplies will be exhausted within two weeks, saying that rations of supplementary food will be reduced from today. WFP asked for $5.2million in the recent flash appeal, but has a shortfall of $3million.
Supplemental supplies, which include corn-soy blend (CSB), cooking oil, and sugar, have been advanced other WFP programmes, such as the ‘school feeding’ and ‘mother and child’ supplementary programmes. Already, cooking oil supplies have been depleted and provision of CSB will be reduced by up to 25% starting immediately.
Humanitarian coordinator Finn Reske-Nielsen warned that critical areas of the flash appeal remain unfunded. “While we have had a good response to the flash appeal there are critical shortfalls in the area of food supplies and health. The displaced population is incredibly vulnerable and the camps have the potential to become flashpoints if we cannot continue to provide basic humanitarian needs.” He said.
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Humanitarian coordination group to start working in the districts
Ministry of Labour and Community Reinsertion - Dili, Friday 23 June 2006
The Inter-Agency Humanitarian Coordination Group to begin rapid assessments in the coming week.
The number of displaced persons (IDPs) in the districts rose by 15,000 last week and the estimated total is more than 78,000 as of Friday last week. In response to this information, a small delegation led by Arsénio Paixão Bano, Minister of Labour and Community Reinsertion, and Finn Reske-Nielsen, UN Humanitarian Coordinator travelled to Liquiça on Saturday 17 June to visit IDP centres and communities. It is estimated that 8,000 IDPs have relocated to Liquiça.
Arsénio Bano stated that “People are living in poor conditions and the humanitarian assistance coordination group needs to move quickly and start working in the districts”. MTRC has regional centres in Baucau, Oecusse and Maliana. Lino Torrezão of the Ministry of State Administration expressed the need for INGOs and UN agencies to work in close coordination with district administrators and local government as assessment work has been ongoing in the districts. He also said that districts in border areas need more security as he had just visited Bobonaro with the Minister of State Administration.
Rapid assessment teams will travel to all districts in the next few days to survey chefe do sucos, and representatives from the education and health sectors, church and community. Survey teams will be led by UNICEF, Plan, CRS, World Vision, Oxfam and Concern. The survey includes questions on water and sanitation, education, food security and protection.
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UN and partners to begin assessments in Timor-Leste districts
(Organisation for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - New York: 21 June 2006): The United Nations and partners will begin a Rapid Joint Assessment in the outer districts of Timor-Leste on 26 June in order to study the impact of the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) on host communities, gather more accurate figures on numbers of IDPs, and provide information on needs in the areas of protection, education, food security, health, shelter, water and other non-food relief.
While ongoing inter-agency assessments show some 69,500 IDPs living at 66 locations in Dili, figures on IDPs outside of the capital are less accurate. Government sources estimated nearly 79,000 IDPs in 12 districts, particularly in Liquiça, Ermera, Aileu, Oecussi, and Baucau districts, as well as on Atauro Island . The five largest IDP locations in Dili are Dom Bosco, Cannossiana Sisters, Obrigado Barracks parking lot -- the UNOTIL compound, Hospital Nacional G Valadares, and Comoro airport.
The United Nations and partners are currently in the process of distributing two weeks' worth of food assistance -- including rice, corn-soy blend, vegetable oil and sugar amounting to more than 900 metric tonnes -- to nearly 69,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at 57 locations in Dili. To date, the World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered 236 tonnes of food to nearly 70,000 beneficiaries in Dili and selected districts not covered by the Government's rice distributions.
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Japanese minister visits families living in camps
Japan pledges US $5 million to help in humanitarian efforts
20 June, 2006/ Dili;
Japan 's Vice-Minister (Parliamentary) for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Kiyohiko Toyama, the Minister of Labour, Arsenio Bano, and UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Finn Reske-Nielsen , today visited one of the largest camps of people who were displaced from their homes during the recent violence in Timor-Leste.
US$13.2 million has been pledged in response to the UN flash appeal, the single largest contribution being a US$5 million commitment from the Government of Japan. The money will be channe l led through UN agencies and other international organisations working with displaced people, to be used for provision of emergency shelters, health and sanitation, water, and transportation .
Mr. Reske-Nielsen accompanied the Parliamentary Secretary to the Dom Bosco camp in Comoro. He welcomed the Japanese commitment. “This is a considerable contribution to the humanitarian effort and I thank the Japanese government and people very much. This will allow much needed relief supplies to be delivered to meet the most urgent and basic needs of the people affected by this situation.”
Japan has provided considerable financial support to Timor-Leste since before independence and was among the first the first to pledge additional funds for the new emergency.
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UN Humanitarian Coordinator presents his credentials to President Xanana Gusmao
19 June, 2006/ Dili;
Today at the Palace of the Ashes in Dili, H.E. President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão received the letter of credentials from the new United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Finn Reske-Nielsen.
Reske-Nielsen, will coordinate the activities of all UN humanitarian agencies in Timor-Leste and will work closely with all non-governmental organizations and governmental agencies involved in delivering assistance to the estimated 133,000 people displaced from their homes in the recent weeks.
He will be one of the leaders of the newly formed Inter-Agency Humanitarian Assistance Group which is chaired by the Minister for Labour. The group is comprised of Government Ministries, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, International and National NGO's and several donor agencies.
Previously Reske-Nielsen has worked across a broad range of humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction, political and development issues in countries throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific, including Timor-Leste.
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Displaced people outside Dili outnumber those in camps
The number of people reportedly displaced throughout Timor-Leste's 13 districts is now confirmed to be higher than previously thought according to figures collected by local authorities. An additional 15,000 displaced people (IDPs) have been recorded over the past week, bringing the total number of IDPs in the districts to over 78,000.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Finn Reske-Nielsen, the Minister for Labour and Community Reinsertion, Arsenio Bano, and other members of the Inter-agency group visited the district of Liquica on the weekend where an estimated 7,000 displaced people are living. “These district visits are essential. We need to have a comprehensive understanding of the situation in areas outside of Dili to make sure we are able to support the needs of the wider population. While the main problem began in Dili, the impact is being felt nationwide.” Reske-Nielsen explained.
While many families fled Dili several weeks ago, information from more remote areas is just now reaching the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Assistance Group. While in Dili most IDPs are concentrated in 55 camps around the city, in the districts most of the displaced are living in extended family households, putting pressure on already scarce family resources.
“The increased population in the districts could lead to food shortages,” warned UN Humanitarian Coordinator Finn Reske-Nielsen. “In addition, the economic standstill in many parts of the country is very serious and could worsen the crisis if it continues,” he added. “Families on the edge of subsistence are particularly vulnerable to economic shocks. Losing access to a cash income renders them unable to purchase food supplies and basic necessities, including medicine and fuel.”
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United Nations calls for more than $18 in aid for Timor-Leste
(New York: 12 June 2006): The United Nations today launched a Flash Appeal requesting more than $18 million for humanitarian assistance to Timor-Leste, where an estimated 133,000 people have been displaced by the violence that has beset the country, and particularly the capital, Dili, in recent weeks.
“Those who have been displaced by the deplorable violence of the past weeks need our help,” said Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator . “The United Nations has been working with the Timorese since before independence; we must now provide for those who fear harm may befall them.”
Assessments by the United Nations and partners have identified 55 locations in and around Dili, currently hosting close to 70,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs). Additionally, an estimated 63,000 people have fled to the countryside, placing strain on scarce resources and food. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) plans to facilitate inter-agency assessment missions to the district regions to ascertain the condition and most urgent needs of these people. UN agencies and non-governmental partners, which were already providing long-term development assistance in Timor-Leste, were able to respond to the sudden crisis on a short-term basis. With the situation not yet resolved, the Appeal aims to fund humanitarian work over the next three months.
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Dili, 12 June 06
Pregnant women living in camps around Dili are receiving maternal care services and now have the option of being transferred to the national hospital before delivery, said UNFPA Representative Hernando Agudelo.
“We have pitched 20 tents at the Dili National Hospital where women in the final stages of pregnancy can wait for delivery.” Mr. Agudelo added. “This is all possible due to effective partnerships with the Health Services, UNHCR and the local NGO REDE Feto.”
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A UNFPA UNV doctor consults a pregnant woman in one of the new maternity tents.
Photo - Sevinj Huseyn-Zade |
UNHCR has provided for 110 tents to be available to the hospital. Each tent is highly insulated and can provide shelter for up to 10 people. UNFPA and REDE feto have already transferred ten women and their families from various camps to the new hospital ‘waiting' area and eight more families have been identified by the mobile clinics to be transferred when close to delivery date.
Conditions in the camps are difficult, particularly for pregnant women.” Dr. Sevinj Huseyn-Zade, UNFPA technical advisor explained. “Not having adequate transport to specialised medical services provided by the hospital puts woman at a much higher risk of even common maternal health issues becoming critical or life threatening.”
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UN humanitarian coordinator appointed
Dili, 08 June 2006
Finn Reske-Nielsen of Denmark today assumed the role of Humanitarian Coordinator in Timor-Leste.
Reske-Nielsen, who arrived Wednesday will coordinate the activities of all UN humanitarian agencies in Timor-Leste and will work closely with all non-governmental organizations and governmental agencies involved in delivering assistance to the 70,000 people living in make-shift camps in the capital city of Dili and a further 60,000 people displaced throughout the country. He will be one of the leaders of the newly formed Inter-Agency Humanitarian Assistance Group which is chaired by the Minister for Labour. The group is comprised of Government Ministries, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, International and National NGO's and several donor agencies.
Previously Reske-Nielsen has worked across a broad range of humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction, political and development issues in countries throughout Africa , Asia and the Pacific, including Timor-Leste.
“I feel I have a special relationship with this country, having served as the United Nations Development Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative here from 1999 until Independence in 2002.“ Reske-Neilson said. “I am pleased to return here at this time, although I am saddened to witness the violent and destructive events that have led to such a large humanitarian situation.”
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Districts "Have not been forgotten"
07 June, 2006 / Dili;
Vital supplies are reaching displaced people and communities throughout Timor-Leste. With the number of displaced people in the districts now estimated to be over 62,000, the emphasis is to deliver food and essential supplies as quickly and as broadly as possible.
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Unloading food for the internally displaced population |
“The government has been delivering food to the districts for the past 4-5 weeks.” said Sandra Thompson, UNICEF adviser to the Ministry of Labour. “Some efforts were disrupted due to the recent security concerns, but there is a plan in action to continue to meet critical needs.” she added. Over the past few days, 75 tonnes of rice have reached the Ministry of Labour's regional office in Baucau. CVTL (Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste) and the District Administration offices will assist in distribution to the three eastern-most districts of Timor-Leste. In Baucau, Timor-Leste's second largest city, it is estimated that 15,000 displaced people have sought refuge. Approximately 2,200 of these are concentrated in about 5 camps in and around the city.
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Vulnerable children prioritised in humanitarian efforts
06 June, 2006 / Dili;
Children make up a high percentage of the displaced population currently living in over 30 makeshift camps in Timor-Leste's capital city, Dili. As the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Assistance Group has gained increasing access to and knowledge of the camps, member organisations continue to put emphasis on child protection in the camps.
“In situations like this with large numbers of people displaced or relocating, children are particularly vulnerable,” commented Tim Budge, Country Director of Plan International. According to Mr. Budge, children are at high risk of psycho-social trauma, malnutrition and other forms of abuse. “With girl children among large groups of people, there is the added potential for predatory behaviour,” he added. Jill Umbach, Country Director of CARE International, commented: “We are working on improving security measures for young women, such as providing increased gate security, and increased lighting around toilets and other public areas at night”. Click here for full story
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Shelter and disease prevention priorities for humanitarian response
03 June, 2006 / Dili;
With over 70,000 displaced people taking refuge in makeshift camps throughout the capital city of Dili , the members of the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Assistance Group are moving to address health and sanitation threats in the camps.
“The major health issue at the moment is acute respiratory infection, especially among children”, says WHO representative Dr. Alex Anjaparidze. Exacerbated by lack of shelter and relatively low temperatures at night, respiratory infections are also occurring among adults. “All cases are being treated, with those identified for hospitalization being transported to the Dili National Hospital ,” he added. WHO and UNFPA are providing fuel to hospital vehicles in order to ensure that ambulance services function 24 hours a day.
“Government health services are functioning efficiently, together with other international and national health service providers, and there is no shortage of drugs”, Dr. Alex commented. “The Ministry of Health, Cuban and other international doctors, are doing a very good job,” he added. 24 hour health services are currently available in 16 IDP camps, and the others are being visited by mobile clinics, with international and national NGOs filling the gaps. By early next week, 24 hour health centers should be operating in proximity to each camp, improving on-site treatment.
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